1t of grain makes a
1t of grain makes a
tonne of difference
FARMERS the world over are conscious of the complex tangle of market and environmental conditions that determine their crop yield and income.
Last year Ethiopias farmers had a bumper harvest and some excess food reserves were even exported. However, the picture is rapidly looking more gloomy and predictions of widespread starvation are starting to emerge.
Since the terrible famine of 1984 we have become accustomed to thinking of Ethiopia as a country in constant need of food aid. Of course, the real story is more complex and interesting than that. In 1995 and 1996 Ethiopia enjoyed record harvests and were able to build up food stocks for future emergencies. By the beginning of 1997 some of the older food reserves, that would have deteriorated, were sold into the export market.
The fact that neighbouring Eritrea was suffering from serious food deficit, and grain prices were much higher than in Ethiopia, encouraged the export trade, as did the desperate need for foreign currency for medical and other supplies.
Total crop failure
Predictions for 1997 are grave. Adverse weather conditions have caused almost total crop failure in several regions and an alarming deterioration in the condition of livestock has been seen in several high altitude areas. Grain comes in two harvests in Ethiopia, but the failure of the first "belg" harvest earlier this year has forced 1.2m people to seek food assistance.
Normally these relief activities cease in November because by then the second, main harvest is coming in. However, unusual weather patterns are causing concern and meteorologists predict a poor harvest in the latter part of this year. The Ethiopian government has already distributed 127,355t of grain this year and is deeply concerned about forecasts for early 1998.
Despite a difficult year, UK arable farmers have been generous in their support of Grow A Tonne for Africa.
This year the farmers charity FARM-Africa has teamed up with grain merchants and producers in the UK – not to provide food aid – but to help Ethiopias farmers towards a more secure and independent existence. Through the appeal Grow A Tonne for Africa, they have been raising funds for practical training and help for smallholder farmers in Africa.
There is plenty that can be done to help marginal farmers towards self-sufficiency and greater food security. FARM-Africa helps farmers to test drought resistant crop varieties, new soil conservation measures and a whole manner of other cheap and practical methods to improve production and food security.
To take one example, Halima and her family farm in the village of Awbere in the east of Ethiopia. They work hard to farm their two acres of land, but were finding it difficult to produce enough food for the family. The soil was tired and degraded and they could not afford to purchase livestock.
Working with FARM-Africas dairy goat project has begun to change Halimas fortunes. The project lent her two goats, and through a programme of hands-on instruction, she has learned to produce nutritious fodder on field margins and feed it to her tethered animals.
Being tethered, the goats are less prone to disease than they were in the herd, more productive and their manure is rapidly improving soil fertility on the farm.
Local disease resistance
Halima has also agreed to look after a billy goat for the project. It is a European crossbred animal, bigger and faster-growing but with local disease resistance. Halima has crossed the billy with her goats and those of her neighbours. The offspring produce up to 300% more milk than local goats.
Halima now sells milk at market and uses extra milk and income to feed her family. She has paid back the loan of the goats by returning two female kids to the project. She will have a more productive farm and a source of nutritious milk for years to come.
Please help us to bring a more secure future to farming families by contributing to Grow A Tonne For Africa. To make it easy to contribute we have reproduced the appeal coupon on this page. All you need to do is complete your pledge and return it to a participating merchant with your grain
The following merchants are happy to process your grain pledge: Allied Grain Group, Cargill plc, Dalgety plc, Sidney C Banks plc, GE Unwin Grain, * Banham Ltd.
Ethiopian farmers had a good harvest last year, but things
are now looking much gloomier. Farm-Africas Sheila Willis
explains how UK farmers donations can help
Your donations to Grow a Tonne for Africa can help farmers in countries like Ethiopia gain a more secure existence.
Your donations to Grow a Tonne for Africa can help farmers in countries like Ethiopia gain a more secure existence.